THE success of a bottled water company operating in a national park in diversifying and obtaining planning permission in what was a difficult area should give encouragement to others.

This was the view expressed by Miss Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, when she re-visited Chilburne Spring at Acre House Farm, Kilburn, near Thirsk.

Led by owner Paul Hodgson, Miss McIntosh toured the extraction and bottling facility created on the farm,

"Chilburne Spring is a leading example of farm diversification. The company is family owned and run, and was set up with a 'funding5b' grant from the European Union and Conservative Government in the Nineties," she said.

"It has been a tremendous success story, and its customers include North Yorkshire County Council, McCain's Oven Chips and the Highways Agency.

"I came here when plans were first suggested and I am delighted to see how the buildings have been transformed. I am keen to encourage other such enterprises."

The farm stands on nine natural springs, on what is considered less favourable farm land - hence the grant - and produces one litre of water a second, employing ten people.

Mr Hodgson said: "When I came here in the beginning I farmed deer.

"It is fortunate I am sitting on so many springs; I don't have to do anything to the water although it did cost half a million pounds to get the first bottle in production."

When BSE hit the country, everyone wanted safe red meat so the farm's 150 deer herd was reduced to about nine as he sold them to meet demand.

"Now I have more time I would like to build up the herd again, I need something to eat the 100 acres of grassland," said Mr Hodgson.

He has recently received planning permission for extra buildings to conform to new food standards.

"The Environment Agency decided that water was food, so we had to look at how we could meet stringent health standards," he said.

Miss McIntosh added: "It isn't easy to get planning permission in the North York Moors National Park in which the farm lies, but the authority believed the new buildings were justified.

"This should give encouragement to other people living and working in the park area," she added.